Art & Science Janet G. Smith, ISA Member of the International Society of Appraisers Art Consulting, Appraisal & Authentication

COPYRIGHT WARNING All paintings, images, photographs, text and scientific images are copyright protected. © 2003-2009 Janet G. Smith Art Consulting. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact [email_address] or PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145.

All paintings, images, photographs, text

and scientific images are copyright protected.

© 2003-2009 Janet G. Smith Art Consulting. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact [email_address] or PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145.

Introduction What is art authentication? Documentation and certification by the artist expert of an artist’s work. When this presentation is complete you will understand the importance of science to art authentication.

What is art authentication? Documentation and certification by the artist expert of an artist’s work.

When this presentation is complete you will understand the importance of science to art authentication.

What is your art interest? Are you an artist? Are you a collector? Do you appreciate art?

Are you an artist?

Are you a collector?

Do you appreciate art?

Art Authentication Difference in detecting a copy vs. authentication a work of art Basic opinion today is: Science can prove a painting a fake, but can not prove a painting authentic Art historians, curators and politics are more involved with the process than scientific tests or analysis of the scientist

Difference in detecting a copy vs. authentication a work of art

Basic opinion today is: Science can prove a painting a fake, but can not prove a painting authentic

Art historians, curators and politics are more involved with the process than scientific tests or analysis of the scientist

Art Authentication Overview A systematic approach to the process of art authentication The infrastructure of resources Combining science and art

A systematic approach to the process of art authentication

The infrastructure of resources

Combining science and art

Definitions Artist Catalogue Raisonne A published chronological list of an artist works in relation to the artist life. Critical to the artist life works survival. Listed artist A known artist sold at auction and recorded. An unlisted artist works have not been tested in the market, so the market value is unknown.

Artist Catalogue Raisonne

A published chronological list of an artist

works in relation to the artist life.

Critical to the artist life works survival.

Listed artist A known artist sold at auction and recorded. An unlisted artist works have not been tested in the market, so the market value is unknown.

Norman E. Mangold 1911-1956 Nebraska artist biography & catalogue developed because of this painting. Other unknown works were discovered. Jake Kavish, Merchant Fremont, NE

Art Authenticator Identifies the appropriate artist expert, if one exists Determines the testing required Coordinates research, scientific tests and other documentation including provenance The process is time consuming and unique to each artist and art work

Identifies the appropriate artist expert, if one exists

Determines the testing required

Coordinates research, scientific tests and other documentation including provenance

The process is time consuming and unique to each artist and art work

Discovery of Material Culture The US Marines 1 st issue of uniforms are documented by a 200 year old painting. This was a joint collaboration with US Marine curators via email. An article about the discovery was published in the International Military Collector & Historian, Summer 2004.

The US Marines 1 st issue of uniforms are documented by a 200 year old painting.

This was a joint collaboration with US Marine curators via email.

An article about the discovery was published in the International Military Collector & Historian, Summer 2004.

US Marine 1798-1806 First Issue of US Marine Uniforms

First Issue of US Marine Uniforms The US Marine Curators assisted with the authentication by confirming the sailors in this painting were wearing the first issue of uniforms. The picture is over 200 years old and there are few US Marine paintings this old. The personal inventory of Silas Talbot reflects the ownership of a picture.

The US Marine Curators assisted with the authentication by confirming the sailors in this painting were wearing the first issue of uniforms.

The picture is over 200 years old and there are few US Marine paintings this old.

The personal inventory of Silas Talbot reflects the ownership of a picture.

Close up of Uniforms

No Signature on US Marine 1798-1806 Painting A signature on a painting is not as important as the overall quality, composition and condition of the painting. Hands other than the artists have been known to add signatures, initials and dates to the art works.

A signature on a painting is not as important as the overall quality, composition and condition of the painting.

Hands other than the artists have been known to add signatures, initials and dates to the art works.

Art Authentication Problems Artist works evolve and some experts reject the artist’s lesser works and acknowledge only the best works, which fit easily in the artist catalogue These rejections include the artist’s very early works and the works late in the artist’s life when vision or skill have declined Art history is lost when the artist’s works are denied

Artist works evolve and some experts reject the artist’s lesser works and acknowledge only the best works, which fit easily in the artist catalogue

These rejections include the artist’s very early works and the works late in the artist’s life when vision or skill have declined

Art history is lost when the artist’s works are denied

Technology Changes Art Research & Authentication Only 3% of world’s art is in museums 97% is in control of everyone else. Art collectors are informed about art. Email assisted with review of US Marine painting. Access to experts. 4 year email research project with an art historian in another country.

Only 3% of world’s art is in museums 97% is in control of everyone else. Art collectors are informed about art.

Email assisted with review of US Marine painting. Access to experts.

4 year email research project with an art historian in another country.

Work Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (WPA) USA government through the WPA paid Jackson Pollock to paint and deliver one painting a week. Anyone know what happened to all of the art Jackson Pollock created for the WPA? Two scientists Biro with fingerprints and Bright with his patented brush stroke analyst are on the trail.

USA government through the WPA paid Jackson Pollock to paint and deliver one painting a week.

Anyone know what happened to all of the art Jackson Pollock created for the WPA?

Two scientists Biro with fingerprints and Bright with his patented brush stroke analyst are on the trail.

X-ray of Fine Art The Lodox Corporation is allowing use of the Critical Imaging Technology for x-ray and fine art research. The fine art x-ray project allows us to review art with digital superior x-ray results .

The Lodox Corporation is allowing use of the Critical Imaging Technology for x-ray and fine art research.

The fine art x-ray project allows us to review art with digital superior x-ray results .

Painting X-ray Examined

Composite Digital X-ray a number of x-rays pieced together

Critical Imaging Technology Lodox imaging and art research. Noninvasive review of a painting, structural and composition. One x-ray vs. a composite of a number of x-rays increasing image integrity. Outstanding digital images.

Lodox imaging and art research.

Noninvasive review of a painting, structural and composition.

One x-ray vs. a composite of a number of x-rays increasing image integrity.

Outstanding digital images.

Same picture Lodox X-ray One digital x-ray no composite

Composite VS Statscan

Sheep and Lauren Mill

Lodox X-ray: Sheep and Lauren Mill

Scientific Advantage in Art Science can prove the composition and make comparisons to the artist existing works without damaging the art work. (Noninvasive) Technology is advancing so rapidly the conservator or art historian maybe unaware of the scientific climate change. The future challenge is effective use of existing technology.

Science can prove the composition and make comparisons to the artist existing works without damaging the art work. (Noninvasive)

Technology is advancing so rapidly the conservator or art historian maybe unaware of the scientific climate change.

The future challenge is effective use of existing technology.

A Challenge Think of the technology you use everyday and how it might assist with the authentication of art.

Summary - Art Authentication Art Authentication will it be an exact science in the future. New technology will impact the art world. American art historians are no longer isolated and valuable resources all over the world can be reviewed via the internet. Some of the 97% are demanding art information. Information not only for museums or the 3%.

Art Authentication will it be an exact science in the future.

New technology will impact the art world.

American art historians are no longer isolated and valuable resources all over the world can be reviewed via the internet.

Some of the 97% are demanding art information. Information not only for museums or the 3%.

Thank you Your ideas, suggestions, and questions are welcome!

Questions: Contact information: www.jgsart.com [email_address]

Contact information:

www.jgsart.com

[email_address]

COPYRIGHT WARNING All paintings, images, photographs, text and scientific images are copyright protected. © 2003-2009 Janet G. Smith Art Consulting. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact [email_address] or PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145.

All paintings, images, photographs, text

and scientific images are copyright

protected.

© 2003-2009 Janet G. Smith Art Consulting. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact [email_address] or PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145.

Contact Information Janet G. Smith, ISA Member of the International Society of Appraisers Specializing in Fine Art Associate Member, American Institute of Conservation PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145 www.jgsart.com or [email_address] Free initial consultation.

Janet G. Smith, ISA

Member of the International Society of Appraisers

Specializing in Fine Art

Associate Member, American Institute of Conservation

PO Box 45102, Omaha, NE 68145

www.jgsart.com or [email_address]

Free initial consultation.